Biological Approach: OCD

What explanations does it has yo explain OCD

.genetic explanations
.neural explanations

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what are genetic explanations

G.E suggest OCD is inherited and that individuals receive specific genes from parents which influence OCD

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what are neural explanations?

N.E suggest that an abnormal level of neurotransmitters and certain brain regions can influence OCD

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what do G.E focus on, what are the believed to be and which psychologist talked about it?

-focuses on identifying specific genes which are implicated to OCD
-it is believed that OCD is a polygenic condition (meaning several genes are involved). Taylour suggests there are as many as 230 genes involved-

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and that there are different gene variations that contribute to different types of OCD

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name two exampled of these OCD types and explain them (one of them also has a small study)

the COMT gene regulates the neurotransmitter dopamine, so for one variation of OCD includes having high levels of dopamine
the SERT gene- this is linked to the serotonin and affects transportation of it, this causes low levels-

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-of serotonin in OCD sufferers. Ozaki et al published results from a study of 2 unrelated families who had mutations of the SERT gene and 6/7 family members had OCD.

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what do N.E, neurotransmitters (N.T) focus on, believe in and which psychologist talked about it?

the (N.T) serotonin is believed to play a role in OCD, serotonin regulates mood and lowers level of serotonin are associated with mood disorders (ie depression). this is also can comes from the SERT gene. Piggott et al researched-

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A.D/SSRIs and found drugs that had high levels of serotonin in the synaptic gap (gap between two neurone where the drugs take effect) effectively treated OCD patients. the N.T dopamine has also been associated with some OCD symptoms specifically compulsio

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what does N.E, brain structures, focus on and believe in?

it is believed that several regions in the frontal lobe have abnormal brain circuits (in OCD sufferers) and 2 specific regions specifically impact it; Basal ganglia is a cluster of neutrons at the base of the forebrain and is involved in multiple-

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processes including coordination of movement. Ppl who suffer from head injuries here develop OCD like symptoms.
Orbitofrontal cortex is a region which converts sensory info into thoughts/actions. PET scans-

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found higher activity in the O.C with OCD sufferers. ie if they were asked to hold a dirty item with potential germ hazard, one thing that could happen is heightened activity in the O.C yo increase conversion of sensory info to actions-

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-(behaviours) which results in compulsions

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name the evaluations of this

+R.S in family studies. Lewis examined OCD patients and found 37% of OCD suffers had parents with OCD and 21% siblings has it too. Nestadt et al proposes individuals who have first-degree relatives who have OCD are 5x more likely-

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-to develop OCD compared to general population. (-but this doesn't include environmental factors)
+r.s in twins studies. Billett et al conducted a meta-analysis of 14 twin studies investigating the genetic inheritance rate of OCD. Mz twins had a-

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-double risk of developing OCD than Dz twins (-concordance rates in twins are never 100%, diathesis stress model may have been a better explanations where by a genetic vulnerability is inherited and triggered by a stressor in the environment-

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-issue with understanding neural mechanisms in OCD, there is B.G + O.C, other research has identified the Marin areas can be involved (occasionally ), this means there is no brain system that is consistently found in the role of OCD so-

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-cause and effect rs hard to establish since difficult to associate whether the biological abnormalities are a cause or result of OCD
-alternative explanations. 2 process model proposed by behaviourist suggests learning could-

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-be a crucial role in learning to fear phobia stimulus through C.C. this behaviour pattern is maintained through O.C/negative reinforcement (anxiety removed- avoidance + compulsions removed) -

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- (+albucher et al, the behavioural treatments made patients improve by by 60-90% in adults)

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what does the biological treatment aim to do and what 2 drug therapies are used?

aims to restore chemical imbalances
1. antidepressant drugs
2. anti anxiety drugs

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what does the which psychologists talks about number 1?

Choy and Sceneri say that as the biological approach suggests OCD is a result of low levels of S (serotonin), SSRIs are an appropriate treatment to reduce anxiety and improve the mood of OCD sufferers

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how do SSRIs work?

S is released from pre-synoptic cell into synapse, which travels to receptor sites on the post synaptic neuron. the S which is not absorbed into the post synaptic neuron is reabsorbed into the sending cell quickly. SSRIs increase the level of S in the syn

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-by preventing it from being reabsorbed into the sending cell, this increases in the level of the S in the synapse in turn improves concentration (and amount) of the brain chemical at the receptor sites on the post-synaptic neuron, intensifying stimulatio

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stimulation on the receiving nerve

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explain how anti anxiety drugs work

Benzodiazepines (Bzs) are a range if anti-anxiety drugs which work by enhancing the actions of the neurotransmitter GABA which tells neurons in the brain to 'slow down' and 'stop firing'. Around 40% of neurons in brain respond to GABA, meaning-

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-Bzs have a general quietening influence on brain and reduce anxiety (experienced due to the obsessive thoughts from OCD). some neurons have GABA receptor sites at synapses, when GABA locks into one of these, flow of chloride ions increase-

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-, making it more difficult for the receiving neuron to be stimulated by further N.T, thus the nervous system is slowed down, making patients more relaxed (worry circuit (too much brain activity in brain sufferers) is needed to be regulated

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name the evaluations

+R.S from effectiveness. randomised drug trials compare effectiveness of SSRIs and a placebo drug with no pharmacological effect. Soomro et al conducted a review of research examine effectiveness of SSRIs, it was found SSRIs were sig.-

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-more effective then the placebos across 17 diff critical trials. (-criticised for only looking at short-term of drug treatments w. long-term treatments needing to be researched more)
+cost effectiveness, compared to ie CBT, its much-

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-more cheaper, drs/health service providers prefer it (+patients don't need to be motivated)
-prescribing drug treatments for OCD has side effects, some okay ones are ie indigestion but some are really bad ie hallucinations, erection problems-

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-high blood pressure (+highly addictive, raises aggression and has long term memory impairments, Ashton said short term treatments work for only a week before patients stop taking medication if side effects are rlly bad)

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-it treats symptoms, doesn't find a cure for the cause of OCD, SSRIs work by increasing levels of S in brain which reduces anxiety/alleviates symptoms, does not treat underlying cause, if patients stops tasking the drug they can relapse-

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-(+Koran et al suggests psychological treatments are more effective in the log term for a potential cure for OCD.)

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Biological Approach: OCD

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